Tyrone Missouri Killing Spree Sees 9 Dead, Thought to be Provoked by Shooter's Mother's Death

Tyrone Missouri Home
Police are investigating one of the five crime scenes where seven people were shot to death on Thursday evening. Photo: Jeff McNeill, Houston (Mo.) Herald

A shooting spree late last night has ended with nine people dead in a quiet Missouri town where the suspected gunman went door-to-door shooting his neighbors.

Texas County police are investigating the shooting deaths of seven people who were killed by an unnamed 36-year-old man in the unincorporated rural town of Tyrone, Missouri. The man allegedly went to adjoining homes to his own and shot the seven people before driving to a neighboring county and turning the gun on himself. A ninth person, an elderly woman suspected to be the gunman's mother, was also found dead of natural causes, but police aren't sure if she's connected to the shooting spree.

The call first came in at 10:15 p.m. Missouri time as a young girl informed police that she heard gun shots. According to a press conference held earlier this morning, police officials said," A juvenile female caller indicated she was in the residence and apparently heard gun shots. She immediately fled to a neighbor's house to notify authorities. Responding deputies found two deceased persons at this residence. Further investigation revealed five additional victims who were deceased and one additional victim who was wounded in three additional residences. All three residences were in Tyrone. Another residence revealed the body of a deceased elderly female who appeared to have died from natural causes. The apparent suspect, a 36-year-old male from Tyrone, was found dead in a vehicle at a location in Shannon County from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."

The elderly woman is thought to be the shooter's mother after it was discovered that they share the same surname, Texas County Coroner Tom Whittaker told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She was found dead on a couch at the gunman's home, and is thought to have been dead for more than 24 hours. This may be the motive for the killing spree, according to officials.

"We're speculating that he came home and found her deceased and then for whatever reason went on a rampage and started killing people," Whittaker said. "This is just so strange. Right now, with the shooter dead, we don't know. Is there something that sparked this? We're still in the information-gathering stage."

The other victims, while not named until the families have been notified, are said to include three women and four men, ranging in age from their early 40s to mid 60s. Several of the victims are reported to be related, such as a husband and wife, but there's no known connection to the gunman, if any.

Autopsies are expected to be performed by a pathologist in nearby Springfield, Missouri, and should run over the weekend and into next week.

"In our job, we see a lot of bad stuff. And this is bad," said Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Kinder during the press conference. "This is also hard on the police officers. It's not natural to see that sort of thing." The Texas County Coroner said that the area sees "maybe one" homicide a year since he started in 1997.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.